Enhancing the Development of Therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 by Exploring the Properties of Therapeutic Nano-structures

Abstract

<img src=" https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.scholastica/article/12680/large/prnano_422020fig1.jpg?1588069519"> SARS-CoV-2 may be the greatest challenge that modern society (and modern medicine) has faced. The epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and its global impact will focus attention on all facets of medicine. Early evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 initially infects alveolar epithelium and associated macrophages. Thus, a potential strategy to bring medicinals into close contact with infecting virus is to target nano-structures via inhalation; a factor in considering nano-therapeutic design being their localization to the tissues and cells of the alveoli. Strategies that target intracellular pathways utilized by ligand-directed nano-therapeutics appear to potentially have efficacy, focusing upon signalling mechanisms that activate endocytotic pathways that are also utilized by SARS-CoV when infecting cell targets. Foci of the present paper are the retrograde cellular transport pathways that direct proteins / peptides to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Speculation in this perspective identifies multiple sub-cellular compartments at which nano-structure-delivered anti-virals may intersect those utilized by SARS-CoV-2 (and other RNA viruses). These include endocytosis pathways, points of viral entry to cells and sites of viral assembly. In the context of development of anti-virals against SARS-CoV-2, the discussion here provides stimulus for scientific debate. In bringing the context of nano-therapeutic design together with the very preliminary knowledge of the patho-physiology of SARS-CoV-2, it is hoped that this perspective is useful. [READ ARTICLE](https://doi.org/10.33218/001c.12680)